Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-01

largely upon NlsltOrs rom tue out
side world. 1t possesses few re-
sources of its own. The great at
traction is the hcalth.giving wa
ter. The principal springs are the
Sweet, Magnetic, Mystic, Oil,
Cave, Little Eureka, Crescent,
Harding and Basin, besides many
others. Above the Harding is a
cliff of rocks called for romance
sake Lovers Leap" though how
many lovers have committed that
mad action we are not told. Up
on this rock and around all the
principal springs, rustic seats are
placed for the accommodation of
visitors. The Basin Spring is the
general favorite and the evening
resort for everyone. This stream of
water comes from the heart Of the
mountain, as it were, amid a chaos
OF ferns, rocks and golden rod. 1t
is carried by a large pipe termi-
mating in the form of a 7. Each
evening the crowd about the Ba-
sin is not less than two or three
hundred often more. Last Mon
Gay night the Eureka and Harri-
son bands furnished music and
the crowd was estimated by some
at two thousand. 1t is the place
to study the styles, for every one
comes out in "their best" You see
people from every phase of life. A
splendid opportunity for studying
human nature. 1t is interesting
to notice how the houses are con-
structed. Many of them appear to
stand upon stills, and in some
cases a part of the mountain side
forms a portion of the house; one
building has an upper portico form
ed by a large rock. There are
many houses whose front doors
open upon one street and the doors
and windows Of the third or fourth
story open upon another; all the
dining rooms are in the basement.
The roads are so rough that it re-
quires an experienced driver to
guide q carriage safely. Horse
back riding is the chief amusement
and one INDUCED in every evening.
They go out it large parties, some
times as many as fifty in one crowd.
They have some very nice riding
ponies, but they lack spirit. 1t is
little or no AIT to be able to ride IN
Eureka; the horses seemed trained
and never vary their gait in going
up and down hill, and seeing them
ridden so much and 50 hard it is
little wonder they are spiritless.
The chiefpoints ofinterest around
Eureka are the Four mile cave,
Roaring River, Mirror Lake, Pivot
Rock, Grand View and others.
Grand View is said to be the high
est point of the mountains. Those
who visit these points return
charmed with the scenery. The
cave, they say, is eleven hundred
feet under ground and q quarter of
4 mile long. There is a decrease
in temperature OF sixty degrees.
Inside the cave thick dresses and
shawls are quite comfortable. a
party often from our hotel visited
The cave, myself being one of the
number and fated to be the unfortu-
nate one, returning with sprain-
ed ankle. The Eureka onyx" is
found in this cave, from which is
made at this place, very pretty
watch charms, ETC.,
IL gold; also lovely paper
are made Of the stone alone.
On last Saturday night we at
ended one of the famous Crescent
Dalls. The drive up the mountain
vas delightfully."- cool and really a
east for the eye. Over head the
.tars had blossomed out in twink |
ing beauty, and below us lay the |
portion Of town with its !
lights here and there flashing out |
rom amid the pines like so many |
ire flies vying with each other in
,rilliancy. Some one of the par
y remarked that the scene re-
minded them of st. Louis from
he bridge, at night. To my imagi-
lation Eureka seemed far more
picturesque.
The Crescent was aglow from
'asement to dome. Dancing had
ot begun, and the halls were
rowded with bevies of fair forms
moving to and fro in gay ballroom
ostumes, presenting a pleasing
icture. The dance was conduct
d in the large dining room. The
hief manager apparent to us was
"colored gentleman" in full
lack suit and profuse button hole
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